Appointment of our new Executive Principal to Start in 2025
The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Mathilda Joubert as the Executive Principal of Christian College Geelong from the beginning of 2025.
Mathilda is an outstanding educator, mentor and leader who is well placed to lead our College into the future. We are excited to appoint someone of her passion, expertise, energy and faith to lead our community and we look forward to Mathilda joining us in January 2025.
Mathilda grew up in South Africa and spent her formative working years there and in the United Kingdom as a teacher and later advisor and consultant on education policy and innovation. Since moving to Australia in 2010 Mathilda served for seven years as Principal of the Swan Christian Education Association Institute of Teaching and Learning where she was responsible for strategic leadership of school improvement, teacher professional development and leadership development for approximately 500 staff members across seven schools. She is currently Executive Principal at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, and President of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders in Western Australia.
Mathilda has been an expert advisor to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), an evaluator of several educational programs in Western Australia and has authored over 90 publications on creativity, innovation, teaching, learning and leadership. She is a lifelong learner with two bachelor and three master degrees (in music, languages, education, cognitive neuropsychology, and business) and a PhD in Education from The University of Western Australia , focused on the assessment of student creative thinking skills.
Mathilda is relocating to Geelong with her husband François while their two university-aged children remain in Perth to complete their studies. She is actively involved in her local church, enjoys making music with her family, sings in the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus and volunteers weekly at her local residential age care facility as accompanist to their choir of octogenarians.
Through the appointment process, the Board of Christian College has not only been impressed by Mathilda’s passion, energy, integrity, and communication, but also by the sense of calling that she has for this position and for leading our College. We are confident she will be an outstanding leader for our community, and we believe that under her leadership, Christian College Geelong will thrive.
Mathilda says: “I am thrilled to be taking up the role of Executive Principal at Christian College Geelong and look forward to getting to know the students, staff and parents across the various campuses. I am passionate about quality education that develops the character attributes and creativity within every young person to enable them to flourish in a fast-changing world. I am so impressed by the rich educational experiences offered by Christian College, and I look forward to being part of such a vibrant community.”
A/Prof. David Fuller, Chair Christian College Geelong Board
Healthy Relationship Building in our Community
At Senior School, our Pastoral Care Program is underpinned by a regular House Group session every Wednesday morning. On these mornings students, guided by their House Mentor, engage with a planned curriculum. This program is evidence-based, year-level specific and covers a range of topics designed to support good physical health, good mental health, and healthy relationships with one another.
Each year in Term 3 we are focused on Healthy Relationships and Consent.
Research suggests it is most valuable for schools and families to teach consent as part of a wider set of constructive skills for adulthood, rather than just examples of what not to do in social situations. Quality consent education is substantially more than discussions around the old “no means no”. As such we are covering topics such as, ‘What is consent?’, ‘Consent and the Law’, and ‘Seeking Help’. Conversations may also touch on how to preserve and respect boundaries, dealing with rejection, and balancing giving consent with positive aspects of age-appropriate relationships.
Additional Term 3 initiatives at Senior School to promote a respectful and caring school community include the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on August 16 and R U OK Day on September 12. Engaging with these important wellbeing events provides us with a platform to raise awareness, to build empathy and understanding and to provide students with the knowledge and skills to not only help their peers but encourage them to reach out for support.
It is also recognised that building strong community connections and belonging are also very important for young people and their wellbeing. This term sees numerous events occurring during lunchtimes to engage students with their peers. Events such as House Drama, Wearable Art, and House Soccer provide opportunities for all students to get alongside each other in an atmosphere of friendly competition and to represent their House. Over the past fortnight we have had the House AFL Competition with Penman and Burrows battling it out for top honours. In the end, late scoring involvements from Charlie Green and Sienna Edwards saw Penman snatch the lead in the last 2 minutes of the game to seal the win for the Panthers.
Paul Breguet, Deputy Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Senior School
Friday August 2 – Robocup Junior Competition
Monday August 5 – Taylor Building Opening
Tuesday August 6 – Gordon VET applications Open for Year 11 and 12 students
Tuesday August 6 – GISSA Senior Boys Soccer
Wednesday August 7 – Year 11 Mt Baw Baw Trip depart
Thursday August 8 – Unit 3/4 & Yr12 VCE VM Student Learning Conferences only (All students finish at 1pm)
Thursday August 8 – GISSA Senior Girls Soccer
Friday August 9 – Timor Leste Trivia Night, Middle School SAC
Monday August 12 – National Science Week
Monday August 12 – Year 11 Biology Excursion to Melbourne Zoo
Tuesday August 13 – Year 12 OES Falls Creek Trip depart
Tuesday August 13 – GISSA Inter Boys Soccer
Monday August 19 – Book Week
Thursday August 15 – VCE Music Performance Evening
Friday August 16 – GISSA Inter Girls Soccer
Tuesday August 20 – Gordon VET applications Open for Year 10 students
Friday August 23 – Staff Development Day – No Students on site
Tuesday September 3 – Year 10 and 11 Student Learning Conferences (Students finish at 1pm)
Wednesday September 4 – National HPE Day
Wednesday September 4 – Year 12 English SAC (3.45-4.55pm)
Thursday September 12 – RUOK Day
Friday September 20 – House Wearable Art
Friday September 20 – Term 3 Concludes at 2.30pm
Trip to Parliament House
Students from the Unit 2 Politics class, and the Unit 4 Legal Studies classes visited Parliament House in Melbourne on Wednesday. Politics students have been studying the principles of democracy, and the institutions, processes and culture that enhance or undermine democratic principles. Legal Studies students have been studying the ability of parliament to make laws, factors that affect parliament making law, as well as the role and influence of media within law reform.
The classes participated in a tour of Parliament House, observed members’ statements being read in the Legislative Assembly, and took part in a Q&A with The Guardian’s state political reporter. For many students, the highlights were the impromptu encounters and discussions with members (including two ex-students of Christian College who are now MPs), and hearing the work of the media is promoting law reform.
In the photos, students are pictured with:
Georgie Purcell – Legislative Council (Member for Northern Victoria)
Joe McCracken – Legislative Council (Member for Western Victorian Region)
John Mullahy – Legislative Assembly (Member for Glen Waverley)
Ben Carroll – Legislative Assembly (Minister for Education, Deputy Premier)
Matt Fregon – Legislative Assembly (Deputy Speaker)
Benita Kolovos – The Guardian
Tim Wright
Alida Ditchburn
Promoting Wellbeing in Term 3
Term 3 offers many opportunities to support, enhance and promote wellbeing in our College community. This term is jam-packed with important events aimed at promoting a supportive, inclusive and positive environment, fostering mental health awareness, belonging and empowering students to take care of themselves and others.
In Week 5, we will be acknowledging the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action which is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative. The theme this year is ‘Everyone Belongs’ because when we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. Our Year 8 team of students and staff will be leading our engagement with this week, planning activities across the College to raise awareness about not only the impact of bullying and violence, but also,to equip students with the tools to be upstanders and foster a culture of kindness, empathy and respect. This will also coincide with the release of the Christian College approach to bullying prevention and intervention affirming our commitment to ensuring that every student belongs to an environment free from bullying, discrimination, and harassment. Recognising the serious short-term and long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences of bullying, we are dedicated to engaging in best practices and taking an evidence-based approach to bullying prevention.
In Week 9, R U OK? day provides an opportunity for the College to promote the importance of a help-seeking community. The theme this year is ‘Ask R U OK? any day’ because life happens every day. We will be spending time connecting our students with resources designed to help them best support their peers but also how to talk about how they feel as an important life lesson. We are also aiming to offer a parent webinar during this week to support overall adolescent health and wellbeing…more information on the webinar to come.
We highly value the opportunity to meaningfully engage with days that raise awareness about the importance of wellbeing in our College community. Wellbeing is a collective effort, and it is through a strong and connected community that we can achieve positive and lasting change.
Kim Doherty, Director of Wellbeing
CCG Wind Symphony Stars at Aust. International Music Festival
During the second term holidays the Senior Wind Symphony went on tour to Sydney to participate in the 2024 Australian International Music Festival. The festival featured 47 bands, orchestras, choirs and various ensembles from Australia, California, Shanghai - China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As well as musical experiences, they had the opportunity to explore Sydney including many tourist attractions and sights.
The CCG Senior Wind Symphony tour involved 44 students from Years 9 – 12 (from Bellarine, Highton and Senior Campuses), one 2023 Year 12 graduate and 6 music staff. Rehearsals for the tour happened weekly from the start of Term 4 2023 and during this time the band prepared a program of works for several tour performances, including a 20 minute ‘competition’ program that was adjudicated and scored by a panel of 3 judges. The festival gave the students a range of musical experiences, sightseeing opportunities and fun times. For many of the students it was their first experience going on a music tour. Upon reflection, the students have said that there were many trip highlights that have impacted them, providing lifelong memories! Many students have said that their friendships with each other have grown and that “even though they had attended weekly rehearsals the tour gave them a chance to get to know each other and the teachers much better.”
Music Festival Experiences - At the festival the Wind Symphony participated in musical exchange rehearsals with other schools, they had a great time playing each other’s music and learning about each other. The students attended numerous festival concerts and heard amazing music groups perform, including the Ragazzi Boys Choir from California who are a Grammy award winning boys’ choir. They also heard a traditional Chinese Orchestra from St Stephen’s College in Hong Kong, who performed on traditional Chinese instruments. The Wind Symphony also had a workshop with one of the festival adjudicators who took them through sections of their pieces providing ideas about how they might consider different interpretations and techniques.
Exploring Sydney - Sightseeing opportunities included a visit to Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, exploring The Rocks and Darling Harbour, photo opportunities with many famous people at Madame Tussauds, a ferry ride to Manly for lunch and a birds eye view of the harbour city from the Sydney Tour.
Music Festival Performances - The Wind Symphony performances included being selected to perform in the Festival Welcome Concert at the Sydney Conservatorium, an adjudicated performance for a panel of judges at the Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall, an outdoor concert at the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour and a performance at the Sydney Opera House. The Opera House performance was a highlight that saw the group perform beautifully and one that both staff and students will always remember as a special moment.
A finale to Remember - The final night of the festival was the Awards Ceremony and Festival Dance Party held at the Sydney Town Hall. The adjudicators selected 3 of the 47 ensembles to perform at the Festival Finale Command Concert. We are so proud to have been one of the 3 ensembles selected to perform, along with a choir from Hong Kong and an orchestra from Taipei. The Senior Wind Symphony was also honoured to receive a Gold Award at this ceremony. The awards ceremony was followed by a dance party where the students were able to celebrate a great week of music, learning new things and making new friends.
Congratulations to the students in the band for their great performances and their outstanding representation of Christian College and their families. Many parents and families traveled to Sydney to the performances, including the performance at the Sydney Opera house – this was a very special opportunity – one that I am sure many of us will never forget. Thanks to the families for their tremendous ongoing support of the Music Program and their students to attend this tour.
I would like to thank Mr Rankin with whom I co- conduct the Wind Symph, for the work we have done together with the students, as well as the other staff who attended the tour, Mr Dunlop, Mr Gardner, Ms Mantelli and Mr Moffatt for coming and supporting us on the tour.
Fiona Gardner, Director of Music
Important VET and Subject Selection Information for 2025
Vocational Education Training (VET) is offered as a subject in Year 10, 11 and 12 at CCG Senior Campus. Students travel off campus to either The Gordon or a Government or Catholic school (non-Gordon) that offer the courses one afternoon a week. Year 10 students who select VET also study VCE VM Unit 1 Work Related Skills over the whole year and complete one week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE (ATAR) students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and VET tab located in the Senior School Hub on SEQTA.
VET Course Information, Application Process and Dates
- SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
- Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
- Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non-Gordon supplier.
- APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE. Choose PM classes only.
Non-Gordon Courses (Govt and Catholic School Offerings
COURSE INFORMATION AND HARD COPY APPLICATION FORMS can be found on the Senior School Hub under the VET tab and at CCG campus student offices. All Year 9,10 and 11 students and parents will be informed via email.
A HARD COPY APPLICATION FORM FOR NON-GORDON COURSES IS TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO CCG Senior Campus student office via email to c.brew@ccg.vic.edu.au
HARD COPY APPLICATIONS are now open for all 2025 Year 10 – 12 students for NON- GORDON COURSES closing September 1 for CCG students.
Gordon Courses
Course information and online application links can be found on the Senior School Hub under the VET tab on SEQTA.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 6 for VCE and VCE VM STUDENTS ONLY and AUGUST 20 for YEAR 10 STUDENTS. ONLINE APPLICATIONS CLOSE for all CCG students on SEPTEMBER 1.
General Information
VET placements are highly sought after so early applications are highly recommended. Most VET courses run over 2 years. VET typically runs on Wednesday afternoons for first year students and Monday afternoons for second year students.
Year 10 VET students study VCE Unit 1 Work Related Skills for 3 periods a week and attend VET for 2 periods a week. They do a work placement in the first week of the holidays at the end of Term 2.
CCG provides transport to VET – students make their own way home from their courses. VET courses incur an additional fee that is course dependent. CCG offers a subsidy on VET courses.
Note that applications for SBAT courses – typically of one-year duration unless a trade – can be made using the hard copy SBAT application form.
For any queries about VET or SBAT please contact Kerryn Fearnsides at Senior Campus on 5241 1577 or at k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au
Kerryn Fearnsides, Vocational Pathways Coordinator
Scholarship Applications Now Open!
Scholarship applications for Year 5, 7 and 10 entry to Christian College in 2026 are now open. You can access all the information you need, and apply, by visiting our website. There is a hotlink at the top of our homepage that takes you there, or just click here.
The scholarship testing date is Saturday October 12 and all applications must be received no later than close of business on Thursday October 3.
Save the Date – East Timor Trivia Night
The annual East Timor Trivia Night is always a great night of fun that supports Christian College’s work in Viqueque, and 2024’s event is on Friday August 9. This year the venue is the Sport and Aquatic Centre at the Middle School-Highton. It’s $10 per head, with each table seating 10 people. Get your friends and families involved, put together as many people as you can and don’t miss it! Call the Senior School Campus on 5241 1577 to book.
Seeking Support for Work Placements
Students studying the VCE Vocational Major (VM) are timetabled to work with an employer related to their VET course all day on Fridays. This is called Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). There are some prefilled forms to sign and there is a minimal cost of $5.00 a day to the employer. We are seeking workplace opportunities in the Plumbing, Building and Electrical trades. If you or someone you know are willing to help these students, to get a start in their chosen careers please contact myself k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Mary Higgins m.higgins@ccg.vic.edu.au at Senior Campus. Thank you in anticipation of some support.
Kerryn Fearnsides, Vocational Pathways Coordinator
National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (August 5 this year), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.
These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines.
Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.
Golf Tournament
Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.
Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.
You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.
There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *
You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!
Event: Christian College Foundation Golf Day
Date: Thursday, 24th of October 2024
Dress: Casual
Cost: $195
Format: Ambrose – team of 4 players
Location: 13th Beach Golf Links, 1732 Barwon Heads Road, Barwon Heads
You can individually register or register up to a team of 4 players
This event is proudly sponsored by AECS.
Event Information:
For Players, registration commences at 7:00 am.
Breakfast provided; coffee & tea available.
Ambrose Golf (shotgun start): 8:00am – 12.30pm.
Lunch and formalities: 1:00pm – 3:00pm – auction items available to bid!
*Terms and conditions apply
CLICK HERE to register
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